PNTL's Pacific Heron launched in Japan

14 May 2007

The Pacific Heron, Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd's (PNTL's) newest ship, has been launched at the Tamano shipyard in Japan where it is currently being built by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding.

The launch of the 4500 t ship on 10 May took place in front of a number of senior European and Japanese nuclear industry representatives. The $60 million vessel has now been towed to an outfitting berth where its construction will be completed. The Pacific Heron is expected to be delivered to PNTL in November 2007 and to arrive at its home port of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK, in early 2008.

Like PNTL's other ships, the Pacific Heron is an INF 3 certified vessel under the INF Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The INF Code regulates shipments by sea of used nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive waste. PNTL's ships have cargo compartments protected by a reinforced double hull together with back-up availability of all essential systems to ensure the safety of shipments of radioactive materials.

PNTL's fleet of six nuclear transport ships has recently been reduced to two with the decision to remove the mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel transporter Pacific Teal from service. The Pacific Swan and Pacific Crane have also been scrapped in the last two years, while the European Shearwater has been sidelined. The Pacific Pintail and Pacific Sandpiper remain in service.

PNTL, which is owned by British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd, Areva and a number of Japanese companies, says it has successfully completed over 170 shipments in the past 30 years. The ships have covered over 8 million kilometres and over 2000 casks of nuclear materials have been transported.

Further information

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd
Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd

WNA's Transport of Radioactive Materialsinformation paper